Community Resources:

Support Groups

Northwest Community Healthcare is committed to taking responsibility for improving the health of those who live and work in the northwest suburbs. Please call the phone number listed next to each support group for more information or to register, or visit our new Online Events Guide to read more details about our current available support groups.

Northwest Community Healthcare offers a series of Positively Healthy support services that include:

CHRONIC ILLNESS

Parkinson’s Support Group
Meets monthly (last Wednesday of each month) from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Road. Format varies monthly and features guest speakers, education, and open discussion. Individuals with Parkinson’s, their family, friends, and caregivers are welcome. At select meetings, caregivers and families meet separately from individuals with Parkinson’s. For more information, please call the Outpatient Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation department at 847. 618.3120.

COMPLIMENTARY THERAPIES

Pre-Surgery Relaxation
Learn how thoughts and feelings affect one's physical experience. Participants examine their own thinking and learn techniques to assist them in supporting their bodies' healing capacities. The program is complimentary and is offered every Tuesday (except holidays) from 3:00-4:30 pm at Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Rd., Arlington Heights. For more information call Pastoral Services at 1.847.618.4250 or visit the Online Events Guide.

WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Mother Baby Hour
The adjustment to motherhood often brings many questions and concerns. New moms and babies are invited to join one of Northwest Community's perinatal educators and other new moms to share the uncertainty of everyday motherhood in a relaxed atmosphere. This support program is offered every Tuesday from 10:00 -11:30 am at First Presbyterian Church, 302 N. Dunton, Arlington Heights. For additional information call HealthConnection at 1.847.618.3463.

Women's Circle for Menopause
Great things happen when women gather to share experiences. This new support group is for women of all ages who are experiencing natural, medically or surgically induced hormonal disruption. Donna Teper, RN, Menopause Practitioner and Breast Health Specialist will facilitate the group. Discussions will address the multiple symptoms that women may experience as well as educational information for living well after menopause. This support group is held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at The Breast Center, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Breast Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Busse Center For Specialty Medicine on the Northwest Community Hospital main campus. For further information, call Donna Teper at 1.847.618.5905.

Renew Through Sharing
The Renew Through Sharing Program provides support for those who are grieving the loss of their baby through ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. The program offers the following support groups: Parents Support Group meets from 7:00-8:00 pm on the first Tuesday of each month. The group meets at the Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Rd., Arlington Heights, in the Patient Entrance Chapel – North Pavilion next to the Surgical Waiting Area on the second floor. For more information, please contact Pam Ferguson, RNC, RTSC at 1.847.618.5220.

Women's Behavioral Health
A list of programs and support groups have been assembled in the Women's and Children's Services section. To view these programs and support groups, click here.

Children's Wellness Programs
A list of programs and support groups have been assembled in the Women's and Children's Services section. To view these programs and support groups, click here.

CANCER SERVICES

Leukemia and Lymphoma Networking Group
A networking group for blood-related cancer patients, their families and friends, meets the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:30 pm at Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Rd., Arlington Heights, in the Cancer Services Department (lower level). For more information call HealthConnection at 1.847.618.3463.

Look Good...Feel Better®
A program that teaches beauty techniques to women who are actively undergoing cancer treatment, to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of radiation and chemotherapy. A cosmetologist teaches the class. Registration is required. The class is co-sponsored with the American Cancer Society, the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association and the National Cosmetology Association. Free. Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Rd., Arlington Heights, in the Cancer Services Department (lower level). For more information or to register, call HealthConnection at 1.847.618.3463 or to register online, click here to visit our Online Events Guide.

Make Today Count
A networking group open to all cancer patients, their family and friends. Group provides opportunities to exchange thoughts and ideas on dealing with cancer. Group meets every other Thursday from 7:00-8:30 pm, at Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Rd., Arlington Heights, in the Cancer Services Department (lower level). For more information, call HealthConnection at 1.847.618.3463 or click here to visit our Online Events Guide.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
This networking group is open to all MDS patients, their families and friends. Group provides opportunities to exchange thoughts and ideas on dealing with MDS. Offered at Northwest Community Hospital’s Cancer Services department (lower level), 800 W. Central Road, Arlington Heights. The class will meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. The class is free. For more information, call HealthConnection at 1.847.618.3463 or click here to visit our Online Events Guide.

Reach for Support
Reach for Support: Breast cancer survivors and the women in their lives who support them are invited to attend this monthly gathering. We meet the first Wednesday of the month from 7-8:30 pm at Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Rd., Arlington Heights, in the Cancer Services Department (lower level). For more information, call HealthConnection at 1.847.618.3463 or click here to visit our Online Events Guide.

HEART AND STROKE HEALTH

CVA: A Community Support Group
Please join us for our community stroke support meeting. The program will include a meet and greet, a guest speaker and light refreshments. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month from 2:00 to 3:30 pm at the 901 Kirchoff building on the Hospital main campus. The program is free of charge but advance registration is required. You may register online or by calling HealthConnection at 847.618.4YOU (4968).

Heart Throbs / ICD Support Group
For persons who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and their families. For more information call the Pacemaker Clinic at 1.847.618.7920.

Mended Hearts
A national organization dedicated to providing support and information to heart patients and their families. Group meets on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 pm at Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Rd., Arlington Heights. For more information contact Jim Conley at 847.870.0847, or click here to visit our Online Events Guide.

BREATHING EASIER

Asthma Support
Support is available to assist people with asthma. Please call Lynn Tepper for more information at 1.847.618.7974.

HEALTHY AGING

Transitions for Older Adults
A support group emphasizing life-management skills for senior citizens who have received mental health services. Group meets from 2:00-3:00 pm on Thursdays. For more information, please call 1.847.618.4135.

DIABETES MANAGEMENT

Diabetes Support for All Ages
A variety of diabetes support services are offered for all ages through Northwest Community Hospital's Diabetes Services, 901 W. Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. For times, location and more information on the other support groups listed below, call Diabetes Services at 1.847.618.4475

Parents and Toddlers meet the second Thursday of every month
Parents and 5-12 year olds meet the second Tuesday of every month
Adult Daytime Group meets the third Tuesday of every month
Adult Evening Group meets the third Thursday of every month
Adult Group in Elk Grove Village meets the second Wednesday of every month

DEALING WITH GRIEF

Begin Again
Support for widows and widowers. This group meets the first and third Friday of every month from 7:30-9:00 pm at Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Rd., Arlington Heights. For more information call Pastoral Services at 847.618.4250.

Compassionate Friends
A self-help organization, which offers friendship and understanding for bereaved parents. This group meets the third Friday of the month at 8:00 pm at Church of the Incarnation, 330 West Golf Road (one block west of Arlington Heights Road), Arlington Heights, IL 60005. For more information, please contact Beth Dorfman at 1.847.291.0622; Jeanne Stesanowski at 1.847.255.2659; or Angelo Militello at 1.847.933.1995.

L.O.S.S. (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)
A support group assisting the survivors of suicide meets at 7:00 pm on the second Sunday of each month at Catholic Charities, N. W. Suburban Office, 1717 Rand Rd., Des Plaines, IL. For further information, please call 1.312.655.7283.

State's Attorney Support Group
This support group provides assistance for the families of victims of murder, reckless homicide and hit and run. For more information, please call Carole Merkel at 1.847.818.2326.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTIONS

Al-Anon Meetings
Al-Anon is a support group for family and friends of alcoholics, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Those who are affected by the alcoholic meet to share with each other their experiences, strength, and most importantly, hope. The meetings are held in the Family Group Room of 901 W. Kirchoff Rd., Arlington Heights on Mondays at 7:30 pm. For more information, contact 1.847.618.2700.

Families Anonymous
Families Anon is a support group for family and friends of alcoholics and substance abusers, whether they are still drinking/using or not. Those who are affected by the alcoholic/ substance abuser meet to share with each other their experiences, strength and most importantly, hope. The meetings are held on the third floor of 901 W. Kirchoff Rd., Arlington Heights on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. For more information, contact 1.847.618.2700.

WELLNESS

The Wellness Center
The Special Programming Department at The Wellness Center develops and organizes a variety of programs available to members and non-members for a nominal fee. Visit The Wellness Center website for more information.

The Buffalo Grove Fitness Center
The Special Programming Department at The Buffalo Grove Fitness Center develops and organizes a variety of programs available to members and non-members for a nominal fee. Visit the Buffalo Grove Fitness Center website for more information.

Last Updated on 04/22/08